Aradhya frowned a little,"Caffeine"?she repeated.
"Yes"he replied with a faint smile,"you'll understand when you get there."
Before she could ask anything more,he quietly walked out of the secret room, leaving her surrounded by the fluttering birds.
Aradhya stood still,her mind filled with questions.WHY CAFFEINE?WHAT WAS HE HIDING?
Then she slowly walked back to her room,she glanced at the clock.It was 07:15AM.Just 4 more hours to meet him.
Aradhya sat on her bed,her mind spinning with questions.WHO IS HE REALLY?WHY WAS HE UNDER MY BED?and WHY CAFFEINE?....she tried to distract herself, but every time she blinked,the image of those colourful birds came back.Some part of her wanted to stay home and forget everything....but her heart whispered,Go....Go....
The clock seemed to tick slower than ever.she opened her window;the morning sunlight filled the room,but her mind stayed cloudy.
EYES MEET AT CAFFEINE
Every few minutes.she glanced again at the clock, counting down to 11.she got ready early....too early -and ended up changing her outfit twice and thrice.
Aradhya stood before the mirror, blushing her hair."It's just a coffee," she told herself,"not a secret mission."still,she chose her favourite pastel dress and small silver bracelet her mom had given her.She took a deep breath,looked at herself and whispered.relax,Aru ....it's just coffee.
(After Reaching the Caffeine.)
The cafe stood at the corner of a busy New York street,it's board shining softly -Caffeine;a place to breath.(Aradhya went to her favourite Caffeine with the ambiguity that,is that Caffeine? as he told or He will come to here or somewhere?)
The smell of roasted coffee beans greeted het as stepped inside.The people were chatting,music was playing softly.but her eyes searched only for him.and there he was-sitting by the window,a small smile waiting for her.
Then she saw him.He looked even more handsome and charming than before -so much that she couldn't take her eyes off.But then she realised he was looking right at her.Her heart skipped a beat.NO...I have to stop staring,she told herself.I came here to talk ,not to get lost in his eyes.
Aradhya walked toward the seat where he was sitting.For a moment,words failed her.
She smiled.he returned it instantly.without asking anything to her,he signaled the waiter and ordered two caffees.
"Still the same?" he asked softly, glancing at her.she nodded,surprised....!
As she settled into the chair across from him,her fingers nervously traced the edge of the table.The space between them felt small,yet filled with unspoken words.Outside,the city rushed on , unaware that something quiet and special was unfolding inside the cafe.
(The coffees arrived,stream curling into the air-warm, comforting,and familiar.)
Aradhya wrapped her fingers around the warm cup,the stream brushing her face.Then,she looked up at him-curiously and confusion mingling in her eyes.
"Can I ask you something?"she said....
He raised his eyebrows slightly.and took a slow sip of his coffee."The coffee is good here,"he said casually,a faint smile playing on his lips."That's why it's your favourite spot ".
He noticed the tension on her face and softened his tone.
"Don't make yourself uncomfortable." he said gently."My name is Pranav.I leave near to your house."
Aradhya's eyes widened slightly.
I feed the birds under your building because....
"Because that place is quiet in the morning,"pranav continued softly." And sometimes,I see you there -standing by the window,lost in your thoughts."
Aradhya's breath caught.
"I never meant to watch you,"he said quickly, sensing her unease.I just noticed you once....then twice.you always looked calm,and not exactly but you just .... waiting.I don't know what for.
"And Aradhya...."he added gently, lowering his voice, 'please don't tell your father about the birds...
She nodded slowly,still trying to understand everything he had said.
A thousand queries crowded in her mind.WHY ME?HOW LONG HAS HE NOTICED ME?WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN?
She opened her mouth,ready to ask-ready to dig deeper.
But before she could speak,pranav looked at her, really looked at her,as if he had made a decision he could no longer delay.
"WILL YOU BE MY PIGEON,"he said.
